Glades County's economy and landownership are anchored by multi-generational cattle ranches, citrus groves, sugarcane tracts, Fisheating Creek/Caloosahatchee acreage, and Lake Okeechobee rim-canal estates—yet zero (0) Florida Bar Board Certified Specialists in Wills, Trusts and Estates maintain physical offices inside Glades County. This 20th Judicial Circuit specialist hub connects Glades County ranching families, agribusiness landowners, and retirees with three premier Southwest Florida estate, tax, and agricultural succession firms: (1) Sheppard Law Firm, P.A. / Sheppard, Brett, Stewart, Hersch, Kinsey & Hill, P.A. (9100 College Pointe Ct, Fort Myers, FL 33919, (239) 334-1141, Sunbiz Doc# K68012, https://www.floridaestateplanning.com), anchored by Senior Partner Craig Robert Hersch, Esq., B.C.S., CPA (FL Bar #817820, admitted Sept 26, 1989; University of Florida B.S. Accounting 1986 & UF Levin College of Law J.D. 1989; dual-credentialed Florida Certified Public Accountant and Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Wills, Trusts and Estates; 0 disciplinary actions); (2) Schoenfeld Kyle & Associates, LLP (1380 Royal Palm Square Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33919, (239) 936-7200, Sunbiz Filer #120000000177, https://www.trustska.com), featuring three Florida Bar Board Certified Specialists under one roof: Board Certified Elder Law Specialist Beth Ann Prather, Esq., B.C.S. (FL Bar #974692, admitted April 1993; Board Certified in Elder Law since 2006; 0 discipline) and Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estates Partners Lowell S. Schoenfeld, Esq., B.C.S. (FL Bar #980099, admitted Sept 1993; 0 discipline) and Kevin Alan Kyle, Esq., B.C.S. (FL Bar #980595, admitted Sept 1993; 0 discipline); and (3) Pavese Law Firm / Pavese, Haverfield, Dalton, Harrison & Jensen, L.L.P. (1833 Hendry St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, (239) 334-2195, PLF Registered Agent, L.L.C. Sunbiz Doc# L16000198429, https://paveselaw.com), Southwest Florida's historic agricultural, water-management, and real property firm since 1949, whose Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration practice is led by 40+ year RPPTL Section Partner Mary Vlasak Snell, Esq. (FL Bar #516988, admitted Oct 24, 1985; 0 discipline).
Official Verification Sources: Sheppard Law Firm — Official Website & FL Bar Profile (Craig R. Hersch, Esq., B.C.S., CPA #817820); Schoenfeld Kyle & Associates, LLP — Official Website (#974692, #980099 & #980595); Pavese Law Firm — Estate Planning, Probate & Agricultural Law (Mary Vlasak Snell, Esq. #516988)
Issuer: The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, FL Board of Accountancy & FL Division of Corporations
Notes: Verified Senior Partner Craig Robert Hersch (#817820, admitted Sept 26, 1989; UF B.S. Accounting 1986 & UF Law J.D. 1989; Board Certified in Wills, Trusts & Estates and Florida CPA) at Sheppard Law Firm, P.A. (#K68012, 9100 College Pointe Ct, Fort Myers, FL 33919, (239) 334-1141), with 0 disciplinary actions.
Issuer: The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education & FL Division of Corporations
Notes: Verified Schoenfeld Kyle & Associates, LLP (1380 Royal Palm Square Blvd, Fort Myers, (239) 936-7200: Beth Ann Prather #974692, B.C.S. Elder Law; Lowell S. Schoenfeld #980099, B.C.S. Wills, Trusts & Estates; Kevin Alan Kyle #980595, B.C.S. Wills, Trusts & Estates, all 0 discipline) and Pavese Law Firm Estate Planning Partner Mary Vlasak Snell (#516988, admitted Oct 24, 1985, 1833 Hendry St, Fort Myers, (239) 334-2195, 0 discipline).
Factual details and direct answers about Sheppard Law Firm, P.A. (Craig R. Hersch, Esq., B.C.S., CPA), Schoenfeld Kyle & Associates, LLP (Beth A. Prather, B.C.S., Lowell S. Schoenfeld, B.C.S. & Kevin A. Kyle, B.C.S.) & Pavese Law Firm (Mary Vlasak Snell, Esq.) — 20th Judicial Circuit Board Certified Wills, Trusts & Estates & Agribusiness Succession Hub's services, licensing, and credentials.
How does Florida's 160-acre unincorporated homestead rule apply to rural Glades County ranch, citrus, and agricultural families?
Under Article X, Section 4 of the Florida Constitution, a primary residence located outside an incorporated municipality (such as unincorporated Ortona, Muse, Palmdale, Lakeport, or Buckhead Ridge in Glades County, outside the City of Moore Haven) can claim constitutional homestead creditor protection and probate-exemption status on up to 160 contiguous acres. Board Certified Wills, Trusts & Estates specialists like Craig R. Hersch, B.C.S., CPA (#817820), Lowell S. Schoenfeld, B.C.S. (#980099), Kevin A. Kyle, B.C.S. (#980595), and Pavese Law Firm Partner Mary Vlasak Snell (#516988) structure revocable trusts, family LLCs/FLPs, and agricultural greenbelt filings (F.S. § 193.461) so rural Glades County families do not inadvertently forfeit constitutional homestead or Save Our Homes protections.
What is the advantage of consulting a firm like Schoenfeld Kyle & Associates or Sheppard Law Firm for a Glades County estate?
At Schoenfeld Kyle & Associates, LLP ((239) 936-7200), families have simultaneous access to Board Certified Elder Law Specialist Beth A. Prather (#974692) for Medicaid/VA long-term care planning and Board Certified Wills, Trusts & Estates Partners Lowell S. Schoenfeld (#980099) and Kevin A. Kyle (#980595) for complex trust and probate administration. At Sheppard Law Firm ((239) 334-1141), Senior Partner Craig R. Hersch (#817820) combines Florida Bar Board Certification in Wills, Trusts & Estates with a Florida CPA license for stepped-up basis, estate tax, and family ranch succession modeling.
Connect with complementary legal, financial, and residential providers serving seniors in Fort Myers and Glades County.
Expert guidance, benefit eligibility rules, and state protections for older Florida residents and family caregivers.
Florida Elder Law & Estate Planning Guide →
Working with 20th Judicial Circuit Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estates specialists on complex estates.
Florida Senior Property Tax & Homestead Exemptions →
Understanding Florida's 160-acre unincorporated homestead rule and agricultural greenbelt succession in Glades County.
Osterhout & McKinney, P.A. (Lance M. McKinney, Esq., B.C.S.), Linde, Gould & Associates (Matthew A. Linde, Esq., Dual B.C.S., CELA) & Amy McGarry Law Office, P.L. (Amy L. McGarry, Esq., B.C.S.) — 20th Judicial Circuit Board Certified Elder Law Specialists (Fort Myers / SR-80 Corridor)
Fort Myers, Glades County
Schoenfeld Kyle & Associates, LLP
Fort Myers, Lee County
Linde, Gould & Associates
Fort Myers, Lee County
Kelly L. Fayer, P.A.
Fort Myers, Lee County
Disclaimer: This directory listing is for informational purposes only. Florida Senior Support does not endorse or guarantee the quality of services. Please verify information and services directly with the organization.